JANUARY 15, 2006

"The honeymoon is over!" You have heard that cliche innumerable times. Literally it describes the period after newly weds have returned following their wedding ceremony and time off together to face the realities of marriage. Figuratively, it has come to mean the period that follows initial exuberance in dealing with someone or something new, and crashing to earth. I have been on honeymoon as your new Pastor through the Christmas season, but this past Sunday it was time to get down to business for our parish. This began with a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the physical reconfiguration of the use of our parish plants for better service. I figured that with the types of deliberations and decisions that needed to be made, the honeymoon would be over.

St. Mark Church was about 3/4 full at 2PM on Sunday when we convened with a prayer and Scripture in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (just so we all know whose Church it really is!) Materials available for anyone to examine included: the diocesan summary report of the finances and status of the parish; the latest financial report for the period ending Nov. 30, 2005; a comprehensive attendance report for the parish going back ten years; the parish financial task force analysis; and a summary of the building expenses of St. Mark plant for the past year. I gave a general summary of what these documents contained, as well as personal reflections on what my ministry had consisted in so far liturgically. I also projected what we might be looking at in terms of clergy staffing, and what would be possible in fulfilling our mission as a parish to preach the Gospel, administer sacraments and perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. I then summarized the recommendation of the task force and my analysis of the data: given a number of options, the best course for our parish would be to consolidate our ministries and conserve our assets by using one Church building and one educational building, and trying to market what we would not use.

I therefore suggested to the parish that we petition the diocese to cease using the St. Mark plant and "reduce it to profane but not sordid use" which is canonical language for selling it for a non-sacred but worthy purpose and that we do so as soon as possible. I tried to address some of the emotional issues involved, as well as the practical. I then suggested that at our next Town Hall Meeting we examine Mass schedules within the new configuration, and Sacraments in the Town Hall Meeting following that. I then opened the floor to questions, observations, comments, etc... A great deal of interaction followed, and at about 3:15 PM it was time to call for a consensus from those present. By a voice response, it was apparent that the parishioners supported (with great sadness, but with great courage) closing and marketing St. Mark buildings, concentrating liturgical life at St. Mary Church, continuing to use the Mother of Sorrows site for educational purposes that would include use of the Church section as a chapel. I informed all that I would begin the process with the Diocese this week to do so.

I am filled with so many emotions and reflections about how encouraged I was with the Meeting and the response of the people, that I have no room to list them here. Suffice it to say, as far as I am concerned, we are still on honeymoon! Stay tuned!